For Reservists, what amount of time is appropriate to spend working on stuff OUTSIDE of BA?

2014-05-14T10:36:42-04:00

As leaders we are expected to do a considerable amount of work in between Battle Assemblies. What amount of time do you spend? How much time is reasonable to expect that your subordinates spend? How often do you expect them to check their enterprise email?

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made May 14 at 2014 10:38 AM

2014-05-14T10:38:31-04:00

As a Battalion Commander, it's literally like a second full time job. I can honestly say that I do work EVERY single weekday, things like signing approvals, etc. I expect my Commanders to check their email daily or every other day or so. I would expect their troops to check it weekly at a minimum. What about you???

Response by Sgt Brian Mummau made May 16 at 2014 3:51 PM

2014-05-16T15:51:08-04:00

As a reservist I may have spent an hour or so a month in Duty related task. Save the odd event happening with a junior marine. I did spend more time doing MCI's or education within the Marine Corps system. But found that to be beneficial to me outside of my military duties. In general I think it should be kept to a minimum as most Reservist are working full time and possibly going to school at the same time. At least for me that was the case. I was an E-5 when I got out so most of my communication was related to what we needed for drill etc... We utilized cell phones for most of this. I did not have a DOD e-mail address.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2014 12:07 AM

2014-06-05T00:07:44-04:00

Sir I agree with you. It is definitely a balance. I expect my leaders (PL, SNCO's) to check their email at least every other day. I think we owe it to our soldiers to do what it takes. I spend at least a few hours during or at the end of the day on company business.

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Jun 5 at 2014 12:10 AM

2014-06-05T00:10:36-04:00

MAJ Rahman,
This is a very relevant question. And one that I am in the process or recalibrating my attitude towards.

Over the last two years in BN CMD (rotated out beginning of May), you got it exactly right - it was a second full time job. During the 1st year, I think I literally put in 40+ hours a week (4+ hours every weekday, most of most weekends). During the second year, I got the hang of it and maintained at around 20-25 hours a week, getting less over time. Over the last month or so, I've had so much time I haven't known what to do with it.

I drive down to my new unit tomorrow (all freaking day....) and have my first BTA back in the land of staff. But its a somewhat operational unit, so I don't know the battle rhythm yet. I'd be surprised if it was less than 10 hours. 10 hours is my goal - an hour day in the morning/PM and then half a weekend day.

Of course, I will also be doing AWC in my spare time....

I think 5+ hours a week is the absolute minimum for anyone in a leadership role, with at least daily checks of enterprise email. Anything less and you lose situational awareness. For others I would say check email at least every 2-3 days.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2014 11:58 AM

2014-06-05T11:58:45-04:00

I expect leaders to be current as to checking their emails every other day. This is at company but I think the motivation to stay current loses meaning BN and above. I think the commanders set the precedence. You can't expect the FTS to do everything. Then only shine on BA or AT. The priority should be staff primaries to answer emails and phone calls at least four hours a week if possible.

Response by SGT Curtis Earl made Jun 9 at 2014 5:34 PM

2014-06-09T17:34:46-04:00

I do Army work every single day. It interferes with my civilian job. I've skipped non-military classes to accomplish missions. It's like having a full time second job. My wife is the UA, so our living room has been a supply closet at times. Our vacations are generally TDY. It's insane how much time being a Reservist has taken.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jun 9 at 2014 8:43 PM

2014-06-09T20:43:45-04:00

We had bi-monthly staff calls and were usually there the Tue prior to drill for pre-ex checks. After a while though, especially after deployment orders were in hand, it was like "for the flag" became an actual pay status

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Jun 9 at 2014 9:25 PM

2014-06-09T21:25:11-04:00

The amount of hours spent "working for the Flag" as was so eloquently stated, is directly proportional to the rank of the SM. The longer that one stays in, and the further up you climb, the more you become involved in the unit (as you should) which means the more time you spend without compensation-financial compensation, because the reward for the work is the betterment of the unit. When I was a SSgt, my involvement was minimal. Now, not so much. I am in contact regularly, by phone-by email. There are always issues that cannot wait a month. Just the way it is.

If you have not done the Guard/Reserve thing, you would not understand. We have two full sets of bosses. Love it (but retirement is coming).

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 10 at 2014 8:22 AM

2014-06-10T08:22:39-04:00

MAJ Rahman,
To answer your questions: I spend approximately 15-20 hours a month between drills handling drill/unit business. I expect that my subordinates spend about 1/3 of that. Furthermore, I hold my subordinates to checking enterprise email not fewer than twice between drills as it is the only approved medium for passing along FOUO information.

Now all of that being said, I will submit that as a platoon sergeant there is an inherent responsibility to my position that requires that I be accessible to my subordinates between drills. Likewise, I realize that not all of my Soldiers access their enterprise email on a regular basis, so I inform them on their civilian emails to check their enterprise account. As is the case in any relationship, Leader to Subordinate included, communication is paramount. And we cannot rely solely on drill weekends to communicate everything of importance to include tasks that come down.